February 2017
Welcome to your monthly update on Australia's largest transport project, WestConnex.
M4 Widening updates
G-Loop opened @ Homebush
In late January the new G-Loop access ramp at Centenary Drive, Homebush was opened - the first section of the M4 Widening project to be opened to traffic.
It was opened by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and the Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher.
The G-Loop has changed for the better one of Sydney's busiest bottlenecks, especially during the peak period. The removal of traffic lights at the intersection produces free flowing access and eases congestion heading north and south along Centenary and Homebush Bay Drives.
Traffic heading south along Homebush Bay Drive to turn from the left lane to head west along the M4 and traffic heading north along Centenary Drive to turn left to head west along the M4 without being stopped by traffic lights.
Watch the video below to see how the G-Loop works.
New M4 viaduct opened to traffic
The 2.5km raised section of the M4 motorway between Parramatta and Auburn - known as the viaduct - was opened to traffic by the new Minister for WestConnex Stuart Ayres earlier this month.
The viaduct has been opened to enable resurfacing works to be carried out on the westbound carriageway of the existing motorway. Four lanes will open to traffic in each direction between Church Street, Parramatta and Homebush Bay Drive, Homebush, later this year.
More than 25,000 cubic metres of concrete and 8,000 tonnes of steel have been used to build this new infrastructure. 238 concrete girders have been used to build the viaduct each weighing around 100 tonnes and stretching 50 metres in length.
Click on the image below to go to the Channel Nine News story.
Get involved: M4-M5 Link draft design
The WestConnex M4-M5 Link draft design will be released in coming weeks and we are keen to hear your views and feedback.
Community feedback has already helped to shape early project development and decisions about our approach to construction. As a result of community feedback and refinements to design, we have removed the Camperdown Interchange. We have also committed to:
- Protecting Blackmore Oval, confirming it will not be used as a construction site
- Protecting Easton Park, confirming it will not to be used as a construction site
- Providing new pedestrian and cycleways connections between Bicentennial Park, Easton Park, Rozelle and Lilyfield
- Providing up to 10 hectares of new community space at the site of the disused Rozelle Rail Yards
You can subscribe here to receive updates on the M4-M5 Link.
You liked it ...
We thrive on feedback and respect the diverse views on our project. In working with our local communities and stakeholders, we follow key engagement principles.
Go WestConnex!! Making great progress :DPeter R - Facebook
As a long-standing (albeit quiet) property owner and resident in this area, I and my family believe Westconnex is a very good and positive improvement to the Inner West Council area.
Sean C - Email
This change (g-loop opening) is most welcome.
Raymond M - Email
Traffic changes while we build WestConnex
M4 Widening: Viaduct and James Ruse Drive
If you are heading west along the M4, you will need to be in the far right lane to exit onto James Ruse Drive. If you do miss the exit, you can take the Burnett Street off-ramp to return to the M4 to head east. Heavy vehicles should use the Cumberland Highway exit rather than the Burnett Street exit.
M4 East: Ramsay Street, Haberfield
Ramsay Street is now closed between Wattle Street and Walker Avenue and will re-open in approximately 8-10 weeks, weather permitting. Detours and bus diversions are in place. Please call the transport info line on 131 500 or go to transportnsw.info for more information on bus diversions and the free shuttle service for local residents, which operates between Five Dock and Haberfield.
To learn more about traffic changes during the construction of WestConnex, visit our website. To plan your journey, visit LiveTraffic.com or call the Traffic Information Line on 132 701.
M4 East: UDLP & community information sessions
Community information sessions are being held for residents living along the M4 East corridor to discuss construction activities such as underground tunnelling, and the draft addendum to the Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP), which contains plans for the eastern and western ventilation facilities.
Concord information session: Monday, 27 February, 4.00pm to 7.00pm
Concord Community Centre, 1A Gipps Street, Concord
Homebush information session: Wednesday, 1 March, 4.00pm to 7.00pm
Strathfield Library, 65-67 Rochester Street, Homebush
Haberfield information session: Thursday, 2 March, 4.00pm to 7.00pm
Club Ashfield, 1-11 Charlotte Street, Ashfield
Feedback on the UDLP will be accepted up until Wednesday, 22 March 2017.
Hard copies of the UDLP are currently on display at the following locations:
- M4 East Community Information Centre: 52 Railway Parade, Burwood
- Inner West Council Customer Service Centre: 260 Liverpool Road, Ashfield
- City of Canada Bay Council Customer Information Centre: 1A Marlborough Street, Drummoyne
- Strathfield Council Customer Service Centre: 65 Homebush Road, Strathfield
- Burwood Council Customer Service Centre: Suite 1 Level 2, 1-17 Elsie Street, Burwood
Get the facts ...
WestConnex and the environment
We recognise the importance of the local environment and green space throughout the Sydney basin is treasured. Our aim is to provide more green space and public recreational space as part of the WestConnex legacy.
FACT – WestConnex will generate more than 18 hectares of new open space for communities in the Inner West.
FACT – The former Rozelle Rail Yards will undergo works to clean up and prepare it for future improvements.
FACT – As a State Significant Infrastructure project, WestConnex also makes biodiversity offsets as outlined in the NSW Biodiversity Offset Policy.
FACT – The former contaminated industrial landfill at Alexandria has been cleaned up in readiness for the St Peters Interchange. The use of this site significantly reduced the need to acquire residential and commercial properties.
FACT – Ventilation facilities are in line with world's best practice and meet strict guidelines on air quality.
New M5 update
Mid-tunneling recently commenced at the 40 metre deep shaft at Arncliffe with the first roadheader starting operation.
The new 9km twin underground tunnels will pass underneath the existing M5 East tunnel as they head up to the St Peters Interchange from the above ground section of the M5 East at Kingsgrove.
Underground connection points for the M4-M5 Link and the proposed Southern Connector - also known as the F6 Extension - are being built to future-proof Sydney's motorway network.
As part of the St Peters Interchange, local streets and intersections are being upgraded to ensure safe and efficient connections for the New M5.
Wests Tigers and WestConnex connecting communities
As part of our WestConnex legacy, Sydney Motorway Corporation (SMC) recently announced its community partnership with the Wests Tigers.
Justin Pascoe, CEO of Wests Tigers, welcomed SMC and WestConnex to the Wests Tigers corporate family:
At Wests Tigers we're committed to making a meaningful difference to those in our community and with the support of WestConnex we'll be able to increase the level of participation in, and interaction with our, programs.
SMC's partnership with the West Tigers will support rugby league at the grassroots and deliver healthy living initiatives for children across Western Sydney.
Congratulations Weldon Children's Services!
Weldon Children's Services received new flooring at its Concord West long day care centre and out of school hours program.
The existing floor was about 20 years' old and was in need of updating to ensure the health and safety of the 200 children and staff that attend the centre each year.
The new floor supported by the Sydney Motorway Corporation grant is expected to last up to 20 years and will benefit generations of inner west kids during that period. The children and families that currently use the facilities and Weldon Children's Services are appreciative of the support provided by Sydney Motorway Corporation.
Deborah Morah | General Manager, Weldon Children's Services
To find out if you qualify and to apply for a grant visit the Sydney Motorway Corporation website or email communityconnections@westconnex.com.au.
Getting to know WestConnex
Opened:
- King Georges Road Interchange Upgrade (Beverly Hills) – increasing capacity, improving connections and reducing congestion at the interchange of King Georges Road and the M5 Motorway. Opened to traffic on 20 December 2016 - 2 months early.
In construction:
- M4 Widening (Parramatta to Homebush) – widening the existing M4 Motorway from three lanes to four lanes in each direction. Due to open to traffic in mid-2017.
- M4 East (Homebush to Haberfield) – extending the M4 Motorway in twin underground tunnels. Due to open to traffic in 2019.
- New M5 (Beverly Hills to St Peters) – duplicating the capacity of the M5 East by building new twin underground tunnels between Kingsgrove and a new interchange at St Peters. Due to open to traffic in 2020.
In planning:
- M4-M5 Link (Haberfield to St Peters) – will link the M4 Motorway at Haberfield to the New M5 Motorway in St Peters, with connections to the Iron Cove Bridge and Rozelle. Currently in early planning, the main tunnel is due to open to traffic in 2022 (subject to planning approval).
- Sydney Gateway (St Peters to the airport and port precincts) – will join the new interchange at St Peters with the airport and port precincts, providing significant benefits on these key freight and passenger routes.
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